Learn how to make blooms last longer and spend less on them in the first place

Whether you're giving or receiving a bouquet this Valentine's Day, these tips will ensure that the blooms really last.

1. Pick your variety

Some flowers naturally last longer than others. Chrysanthemums, alstroemerias and sunflowers can stay fresh for 10 days, says Carol Caggiano, a floral designer and Society of American Florists member. Even roses and lilies can last a week if properly cared for. Steer clear of those with stronger fragrances (think irises and gardenias), which contain more oils and therefore wilt faster. Potted plants like magnolia trees or bonsais are also a good alternative to cut flowers since they are comparable or lower in price and last longer, says Michael Skaff, vice president of design for FTD.

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2. Shop around

Don't assume neighborhood florists charge more than online retailers for bouquets. Buy local and you can save up to $5 by avoiding service fees that are built into online prices. Plus, your arrangement is often hand-delivered for less than online shipping fees or at no extra cost. But if you're looking for rarer flowers, online services like ProFlowers and FTD source blooms from farms worldwide, so you're apt to find special or out-of-season buds and more color options. Since online orders tend to arrive in a box and are arranged by the recipient, your dollar may go toward a fuller bouquet rather than labor costs, says Skaff.

3. Keep bouquets cool

Even a few minutes of overheating can deteriorate cut flowers, so place them far from vents or the TV, says florist Wilton Lee, president of the Master Florists Association. If you're giving them as a gift the next day, try storing flowers in the fridge overnight (or before you arrange them). Just be sure to put them on a shelf away from fruits and veggies, which give off gas that's harmful to blooms.

4. Give stems TLC

Bacteria makes cut flowers wither sooner. "It forms in the water and eventually flows up the stem, where it clogs capillaries so the flowers can't take water properly," Caggiano says. Every day or two, rinse and refill the vase with room-temperature water, and use clippers to snip the stems at an angle to create more surface area for the water to enter through. Don't forget to use those preservative packets from your florist! They're more helpful than aspirin, soda and other home-remedy water additives, Caggiano says: "Aspirin kills bacteria and soda provides sugar, but without the proper balance of nutrients your flowers need, they'll fade more quickly." Extra packets run about 25¢, but many florists will slip you free ones if you ask. Add a new dose every time you change the water.

5. Buy in bulk

Planning a party? Try flowermuse.com, which sells direct from its partner farms at wholesale prices in bunches of 10 stems or more, so you can mix and match to create your own arrangements at a reasonable cost.